Talk DISD

This is an open-ended, ongoing discussion of all things related to Dallas ISD.

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It’s playtime in Dallas ISD! Trustees pass daily recess requirement.

It’s playtime for elementary students in Dallas ISD after trustees on Thursday approved to make daily recess a requirement.

Students in prekindergarten through fifth grade will have at least 20 minutes of daily recess for the rest of the school year. The time length will increase to a minimum of 30 minutes next school year.

School staff also can’t ban students from recess as a form of discipline for minor offenses.

Audience members at the board meeting applauded and cheered after trustees approved the change, which was included with consent agenda items that required one vote.

Several students spoke, including six-year-old Madeline Ziehm.

“I get 15 minutes of recess, I want 100 minutes,” she told the board to a roomful of laughter.

About 78 percent of the district’s elementaries have offered daily recess, but most only provided 15 minutes or less, according to a survey by the district. Only 3 percent of schools had recess for 20 minutes or more, the survey found.

Trustee Dan Micciche brought the initial proposal to the board. He has cited studies that show recess improves social and emotional health and learning.

In other matters, trustees approved to issue $645 million in school building bonds. The bonds, which are expected to be bid Feb. 9, are part of a $1.6 billion bond measure passed by voters in November. The first round of construction projects are expected to begin in April.

Also at the meeting, a new policy that outlines the district’s goals and plans for early childhood education was approved by trustees.

The policy, pushed by trustee Miguel Solis, states in part that the district “shall offer prekindergarten to all eligible three and four year old children within the district.” A goal is to serve 100 percent of eligible families in DISD by the 2025-2026 school year.

Another thought….Any evaluation of student data, scores, teacher accountability, etc. should include absenteeism as a weighted factor. The standards are in place to not grant students credit if they did not attend 95% of the class. Teachers are faced with either passing a student regardless of performance or with failure rates that are misrepresented and are used against teachers. Not awarding a student course credit should be determined by the attendance data – not by teachers or administrators. Why is a teacher accountable for a student‘s attendance? And don’t give me BS about the class being ‘engaging’. I have sat through many boring presentations and was held accountable for the information. Maybe if the student was in the classroom 95% of the time they might find the material more interesting.

Miles looks pass discipline issues. I heard him when giving an example, he used something simple like when a teacher wrote a referral for a student not having a pencil and joked about it instead of addressing more severe issues like when students assault and bully teachers. This man is so out of touch with our community until it’s completely useless to waste time trying to get him to listen to anyone but himself.

I think that is called Dictatorship.

One person who makes all the rules and decisions without input from anyone else.

“A Dec. 6 draft of the audit, obtained by The News, found that Miles and other senior managers broke various rules and policies as he drafted a team of administrators to carry out his district improvement plan. The violations mostly involved moving expenses and hiring practices as Miles transitioned to DISD from his former job running a school district in Colorado Springs.” -DMN

I'm glad this incedent of nepotism and corruption has become public. Actually publishing the OPR report helps us see the truth without rumors. This has been going on for years and there are probably many more nepotism issues we have here in Dallas. That being said does not give Miles the right to just blanket nonrenew or harrass people out of jobs. We need to get the people who are abusing their power and disregarding policy. That includes Miles. Policy is there for a reason and it should apply to all

Where was DMN's coverage of the Imagine 2020 rally today? Coverage was null on the board meeting Thursday evening as well. Coverage is really weak on Dr. Shaver as well, at the prompting of another blogger on this site.

Allegations against Roosevelt principal are getting worse in the investigation, and TEA is now investigating as well, yet she is still not placed on administrative leave. Corruption abounds. Updates now include: "The comprehensive investigation completed by the Dallas ISD’s Office of Professional Responsibility and obtained exclusively by News 8 alleges Roosevelt High School Principal Dr. Leicha Shaver engaged in nepotism and mismanaged thousands of dollars in Texas Title 1 Priority Schools grant funds. That money is awarded to schools that show the greatest need to improve academic performance.

The 44-page report concludes, among other things, that Shaver spent $200,000 of grant funds on a student award ceremony in which children received gift cards, electronics and even got the chance to pocket as much money as they could in a ‘cash grab’ machine.

They’re the size of a shower stall and blow cash around when fans are activated, alowing participants to grab as many bills as they can in a short amount of time.

Some children walked out with $800 to $900, the report said.

Spending Title 1 grant funds on award ceremonies, entertainment or gifts is considered an “unallowable cost” according to the Texas Education Agency, DISD's report added.Source: WFAA

@Tawnell @Matt: My understanding is 5th grade and 8th grade Math/Reading STAAR results are out, as students have been informed (or are in process of being informed) if they passed or failed. Can you get a hold of district results for each school, and how does this compare to previous year, using Miles' agenda? How did each ED do as well? Is the current structure and agenda effective? I would think this is public information. These tests were taken early April, and students have a second chance in a few weeks to take it if they failed.

@DISD teacher, if that report is true then that is the principal that needs to go and not the ones that Miles seems to be focusing on. For years Newsome and Nuttall were putting people in positions because of skin color, church affiliation or sorority affiliation. Many of those people ahold never have been principals but the ones own growth plans are not always the ones that need to be. It leads us to believe that miles and his crew do not know a good principal from a bad one.

@concer- If the fellow at your school was employed in DISD prior to Miles reign then likely she will not be called. Miles does not want DISD employees. He is intimidated by anyone with any knowledge or anyone that might question him. I have fpind you cannot even ask questions for clarification. If you do it is seen as confrontational. He is a little man that cannot handle big questions.

Board Meeting Summary: Many parents and community members expressed their disgust with Superintendent Miles. Not once, did the Board react to the comments. They seemed dismissive of the fact that communities are being affected by the Superintendent. At what point does the board have a meeting to reprimand the superintendent for creating such a bad climate. Why is the board relying on an unqualified superintendent to lead them blindly? I think it this is about the money and they are all covering up what's going on behind closed doors and what is not revealed to the public. Perhaps Commissioner Williams can tell us why he hasn't provided a conservator over DISD. Why did El Paso have one? Corruption, Corruption, Corruption. The board members in El Paso were aware and easily turned a blind eye on the matters. It is absolutely arrogant of a superintendent to talk like he knows everything, when in fact, we all know how much he does not know about education. Politics are one thing, but education of children, commitment to parents and integrity and ethical leadership are more important....Please, some give him a copy of LINCOLN ON LEADERSHIP...Everyone across DISD...Whatever religion you are, pray for DISD...May divine intervention help this district.

Has anyone on the board ever commented on why they hired Miles in the first place? There is nothing impressive or innovative about his plan. He is not a good speaker nor is he personable. We are paying him 300,000 minimum for what? Is it because he went to West Point? How much investigation into Miles methods were done before hiring him? Did anyone actually check to see if his methods work? Whatever happened to just posting a position, picking the resumes that look the most impressive and interviewing until the right person is found? We all know that the board made a bad decision with Miles and that it won't be long before he is gone but maybe we can hire our own superintendent instead of relying upon these search firms

I've left a message with the Garland ISD spokesman to find out how much Rene Barajas will get paid in his new position. As CFO in Dallas ISD, his base was $199,000 -- with the possibility to earn up to $20,000 in merit pay.

The district will never support the teachers in this case, punish teacher and keep parents happy-disd doesn't want another lawsuit to deal with. Even if there are cameras catching all the action the teacher is still wrong. At spruce America, I was put on leave 2 times and the cameras showed the students swinging at me first...didn't matter though. Still got a long summer break, 5-6 months worth, it is really cool from that angle.

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Might as well create a Saturday Night Live episodes of Dallas ISD. Mike Miles and his inexperience EDs minions are sabotaging the entire campus climate. Who would come up with a plan to observe schools during STAAR test? Only people who don't have a clue how to run schools. @k@$b&j)g

Life in DISD is a box of chocolates, you never know how your day will end up with. Today before we left for the day, an email was sent out to us by our principal that says " even if there's STAAR testing this week, spot observation will go on. It will be conducted by our executive director or anybody from central office." Tomorrow I have to cover my colleagues class while she's the testing administrator in my class. Now I have to create a lesson plan and prepare for her class because the iPad carrying egomaniac ED is coming to our campus on STAAR EOC week.

Mike Miles wrote in his action plan submitted to the board. "Last August, WE created Destination 2020...". WRONG. What Miles meant was... Last August, I cut and paste HSD2 Destination 2016, change the logo and date, and woohoo, got me a Dallas version. You gotta love me, I'm a genius!"

Can someone clarify if the 10 day extended school year is happening. Some teachers are being told that it was scrapped, while teachers at other campus are being told to come up with a plan for those days.

Wow, have you read the district action plan for 2013-2014? Has this been presented to the board? How about discussion among schools. Several interesting points that caught my attention: 1) Page 3 -- Hire more Teach For America Teachers; Page 3) Twice-a-month professional development for teachers (yawn), okay I am up for it if it is real PD, I like to learn, but DISD puts on boring, ineffective PD sessions, such as DOL trainings; 3) Page 3 -- 45 new fellows (down from the current year, but still moving forward); 4) Page 4 -- ACT/SAT for all Juniors and Seniors; 5) Page 4 -Positive culture through climate surveys, but teachers are not part of the surveys; 6) Page 5 -- Maintain/upgrade facilities for efficient learning (does this mean effective HVAC systems that allow hear or AC depending on temps outside?); 7) Page 22 -- Consultant to study school choice expansion to all schools for 14-15 school year. sire.dallasisd.org

The three people that Miles wants to give financial control to all answer to him. I do not want Miles to have complete control of this district. What experience does he have to show that he has the ability or integrity to handle that kind of money. He has been sarcastic and cocky when talking about anything DISD. He has shown a disregard for the people and policies of this district. Common sense would dictate that he not now be given total control of the finances or anything else. However we are dealing with a yes, sir board. The only way to change this is to change the board. Unfortuanetly, the people that can vote the board members out are also the uninvolved parents at our schools. I think we need to get national news involved in the craziness of this district and get people nationally to see DISD as the laughing stock. It might change then if there is negative publicity for these people.

It makes no sense for an executive director with no principal experience to be evaluating principals. I hope the non-renewed principals and those on growth plans will sue the heck out of DISD. This is my random findings who among the ED's don't have principal experience. Jennifer Span of Roosevelt feeder, Liliana Valadez of North Dallas feeder, Pamela Lear of Pinkston Feeder. Stephanie Elizalde, Conrad Feeder. Some ED's with principal experience are evaluating high school principals and they've never been a high school principal. Aurora Lora who is assistant superintendent has never held a principal position. Jacqueline Lovelace, Spruce Feeder, no SBEC certification. These people are not qualified to evaluate nor coach principals. Miles call this as reform. Principals, sue the heck of DISD!!

Miles awards are given by Focal Point, his own consulting company. His research as he quoted in several occasions is a research done by his own company. Now he wants to control Dallas ISD's budget. Hiring, fellows, budget, executive directors, principal renewals, all under Miles control. Nice move. Total eradication of democracy in DISD.

Tawnell and Matthew,Would you list ALL of Superintendent Miles’ Awards and honors in EDUCATION that he has received since in the past 20 years? (You may add more numbers if needed) Thanks you.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.

Miles mafia is in the works. Wow oh wow from principal non-renewal, teacher eval, Imagine2020, TFA, principal fellows, high salaried cabinets, and overhiring central staff, it amazes me how a person like Mike Miles can be so greedy. Now he wants full control of district's money. And if BOT will not read the fine print, they too will be a victim of their own demise. That's what you get BOT for not doing your own homework.

Be it known that the current administration is proposing to the board total control of the District's budget. The board is about to hand over all of Dallas taxpayer's authority to three of Mike Miles' people. See this board agenda number 8. sire.dallasisd.org The public is about to be duped by Mike Miles and the BOT are willing partners. "Be it resolved by the Dallas Independent School District that the officers and administrators below are the authorized to act in behalf of the Dallas ISD in all matters in connection with the investment of District funds with authority to deposit, withdraw, invest, transfer, and manage the funds for the benefits of the District."